We love our pets and treat them like family, as do many of our customers. We want to help you keep your garden safe for your pet while you’re getting it ready for the season. Don’t leave any garden tools lying around. This is one of the best ways to keep your garden pet-friendly. Sharp tools like spades, forks, and mowers can hurt your pets badly, so it’s always best to keep them locked up in a shed. If you live in Georgia and have more than one shed, or Alabama and only have one, they are the best places to keep your tools safe. Also, make sure that none of the panels on your fence are broken and that they are high enough that your animals can’t jump over them but not too low that they can hide under them. You can get fencing services from websites like carolinahomespecialists. you can check to see if your garden fencing panels are working right and are set up the way you want them at com/services/fencing/. You might also be surprised to learn that some of the most popular flowers and plants in our gardens are poisonous and can hurt our pets. If you think you need these on your property, you might want to grow them in the best barns sheds you can find instead.
Are Black Eyed Susans Toxic to Dogs? A Landscaper and Pet Owner’s Guide
Black eyed susans are a popular flower found in many gardens across North America. With their bright yellow petals and dark brown centers, these cheerful blooms add a pop of color to backyard borders. But are these pretty flowers safe to plant if you have a curious canine at home? As a landscaper and dog owner myself, this is a question I’m often asked by clients. So let’s dig into the details and dispel some common myths about black eyed susans and dogs.
What is a Black Eyed Susan?
First, a quick botany lesson Black eyed susans belong to the Rudbeckia genus of the Asteraceae family Most varieties are native to North America and were used historically by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. The most common black eyed susan found in gardens is Rudbeckia hirta, also known as the gloriosa daisy. It’s a short-lived perennial with bright golden petals and a dark brown, cone-shaped center. Other popular garden varieties include the perennial R. fulgida and annual R. hirta.
Black eyed susans are hardy, low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun. They bloom from mid-summer through early fall, providing a bold splash of color right when many other flowers start to fade. These cheery flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies too. It’s no wonder they’ve become such a quintessential garden flower across the U.S. and Canada!
Are Black Eyed Susans Toxic to Dogs?
Now onto the million dollar question: can black eyed susans harm your dog? The short answer is they are mildly toxic if ingested, but rarely cause serious illness. Black eyed susans contain pyrethrins and other compounds that can irritate the stomach, mouth, and esophagus if large amounts are eaten. But the risk is quite low compared to other common garden plants.
According to the ASPCA, symptoms may include:
- Excessive drooling
- Mild vomiting
- Diarrhea
Serious poisoning is very rare and there are no reports of fatalities from black eyed susans in dogs. The greatest risk is stomach upset if a large amount is ingested. Compared to highly toxic plants like sago palms, oleander, or lilies, black eyed susans are quite safe. But it’s still smart to take precautions if you’re a dog owner.
Pet-Friendly Landscaping Tips
While the threat from black eyed susans is low, here are some tips for safely landscaping with dogs in mind:
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Plant black eyed susans out of reach of dogs. Position beds away from dog paths or raised up in planters. This prevents curious pups from snacking on flowers or digging up roots.
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Choose non-toxic alternatives like marigolds, petunias, or salvia if you’re concerned. Some great dog-safe flowers include sunflowers, pansies, and zinnias too.
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Monitor dogs when first exposing them to new plants. Some dogs may be more tempted than others to chew greenery.
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Keep fresh cut black eyed susans out of reach. The highest concentration of toxins are in the leaves and flowers.
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Remove spent blooms to prevent seeds from dropping. The dried cone-shaped seed heads may attract nibbling pups.
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Rinse dogs after they’ve been in the garden to remove pollen, sap, and debris. Focus on paws, belly, and mouth.
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Brush dogs with fine hair like Yorkies to remove any black eyed susan hairs or burrs. The small fibrous hairs can irritate skin if left on a dog’s coat.
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Train dogs to avoid certain areas of the garden. Use fencing, rocks, or mulch to create dog-free zones.
By using smart planting techniques and training dogs to avoid noshing on foliage, you can safely enjoy black eyed susans, even with curious canines running around. I often tell clients that the key is managing access and exposure. Follow the tips above and you can have your garden cake and eat it too!
Pet Poisoning: What to Watch For
While serious poisoning is very unlikely from black eyed susans, it’s good to know the signs of plant poisoning in dogs if they do overindulge in the garden. Contact your vet if you notice any of these symptoms after your pup snacks on new plants:
- Pawing at the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drooling or vomiting
- Diarrhea or bloody stools
- Loss of appetite
- Depression or lethargy
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate
- Disorientation or stumbling
Seeking prompt veterinary treatment is vital if poisoning is suspected. In the meantime, you can help prevent further toxin absorption by rinsing your dog’s mouth out with water if it is safe to do so. Never give any medications, milk, or induce vomiting without consulting your vet first. With prompt support, most dogs make a full recovery.
Dog-Safe Garden Inspiration
If you do decide to re-landscape with pet safety in mind, there are lots of great alternatives to black eyed susans that provide similar seasonal color. Here are a few of my favorite dog-friendly plant picks:
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Sunflowers: Cheery, pet-safe sunflowers are a classic late summer bloom. Try cutting varieties like ‘Sunbelievable’ or pollen-free ‘Chocolate’ sunflowers.
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Marigolds: Marigolds are one of the most dog-friendly annuals. Try French marigolds for bold color or signet marigolds for edging.
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Zinnias: From giant dahlia-flowered zinnias to low growing groundcover types, these durable annuals come in almost every size and color.
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Petunias: Wave petunias make a gorgeous colorful groundcover. New supercalibrachoa types bloom nonstop too.
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Mexican sunflower: This cheery perennial (Tithonia rotundifolia) loves heat and provides late summer color until frost.
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Gaillardia: Also called blanket flowers, these drought-tolerant perennials provide cheery pops of color in red, yellow, or orange hues.
Here are some of the most toxic plants to avoid planting to keep your garden pet-safe.
Side effects can vary depending on the exposure to these toxic plants.
The crocus flower has cup-shaped blooms and comes in many soft colors, like yellow, white, and purple. Crocus plants come in two different types. One blooms in the spring (crocus species) and the other in the fall (colchicum autumnale). The autumn crocus is especially dangerous for your dog or cat because it has a poisonous alkaloid called colchicine in it.
If your pet eats it, it could get a very bad burning feeling in its mouth, drool, vomit, have diarrhea, seizures, liver and kidney damage, and even heart arrhythmias.
Azalea plants are flowering evergreen shrubs that are popular in the south. You can find azaleas in almost any color. If you have these shrubs in your landscaping, it’s important to keep a close eye on children and pets when they play outdoors to be sure they do not eat any flowers, leaves, fruits, or seeds.
Dogs that eat just a few azalea leaves can get mouth irritation, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma, and even death.
Daffodils are very common in gardens and in your yard in the spring but keep an eye out on your dog when they’re around them. The bulb contains lycorine, which has strong nausea- and vomit-inducing properties. If your dog ingests a daffodil plant or flower, it may cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperventilation. Other plants that contain lycorine include amaryllis and narcissus.
Lilies are probably the most commonly known poisonous plant for cats and dogs. Lilies are easy to identify with their large petals and defined stamens. The Easter lily, the tiger lily, Asiatic, or Japanese lily are forces to be reckoned with for your furry friends. All of them are highly toxic to cats that even ingesting a small amount can result in severe acute kidney failure.
Depending on the type of lily, the toxicity level ranges from moderate to severe for your dog. According to the ASPCA, the peace lily, calla lily, amaryllis, lily of the valley, and the common houseplant, giant dracaena or palm lily, are all deemed dangerous to dogs.
Common symptoms of lily ingestion include vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper-salivation, anorexia, and tremors.
Oleander plants are found along roads and highways in the western continental U.S. But if you’re here in Oklahoma, these plants are often used as an ornamental plant because of their white or pink blooms.
The oleander plant is poisonous to dogs, cats, and even small children. Dogs or cats could die from eating just a few leaves.
All parts of this plant carry cardiac glycosides that can cause severe heart problems, weakness, nausea, seizures, and even death.
Tulips showcase their brightly colored, cup-shaped flowers in the spring. Tulips are another popular garden flower that are toxic to dogs. Although the entire plant of a tulip is toxic, it is the bulb that is the most poisonous to dogs as it has concentrated levels of glycosides tulipalin A and B. Ingestion can cause significant oral irritation, excessive drooling, and nausea. Symptoms can show up within just a few hours.
Foxgloves are vibrant flowers shaped like little trumpets. Although they are pretty to look at, this plant is very poisonous to dogs and cats. The plant also contains cardiac glycoside toxins, which interfere with the electrolyte balance within the heart.
Look for symptoms of an abnormal heart rate, nausea, vomiting, abnormal drooling and seizures.
There are many plants that dogs shouldn’t eat, but there are also many that they should. Here are some safe flowering plants to keep in mind when you are gardening this year.
- Black eyed susan
- African violets
- Hibiscus
- Snapdragons
- Alyssum
- Crape myrtle
- Zinnia
- Impatiens
- Aster
- Pansies
- Magnolia bush
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Marigolds
- Sweet potato vine
What To Do With Your Black Eyed Susans
FAQ
Are Black-Eyed Susans poisonous?
Do dogs know to avoid poisonous plants?
What landscaping plants are safe for dogs?
What happens if a dog eats Black Eyed Susan?
When a dog eats black eyed Susan, it may trigger certain allergies in your pet. This could be irritation on their skin or in their throats. This would result in restlessness in your dog particularly when they cannot come to terms with the discomfort.
Are Black Eyed Susans poisonous to dogs?
Black Eyed Susans are not poisonous to dogs. However, it is always a good practice to discourage your pets from eating any plants, toxic or not. Ingesting plant material may cause minor gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions in some dogs.
Can Black Eyed Susan make a dog fall sick?
Ingesting black eyed Susan can make a dog fall sick and show symptoms like vomiting, nausea, weakness, and drooling. One should contact the vet immediately if even the dog shows no symptoms. In many flowering plants or other types of plants, not all parts are poisonous. Some parts of a plant are more toxic than others.
Are Black Eyed Susans poisonous?
However, before you dive into the medicinal uses of black-eyed suzies, be aware that the flowers, leaves, and roots are the parts used in medicine. The seeds are poisonous and are not recommended for safe consumption. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) belong to the Asteraceae family and go by a range of names.
Does Black Eyed Susan poison goats?
Black eyed Susan has poisoned goats since these animals have sensitive stomachs. Goats cannot tolerate even mild levels of toxic sap or leaves and can get sick in a chicken period. Black eyed Susan is highly toxic for chickens and should be kept away from the plants at all costs.